Acquisition of a Network Analyzer for Characterization of Ceramic Materials for Wireless Communication Systems

个人通信服务（PCS）代表了基于微波技术（400mhz至30ghz）的新兴和革命性家族。熟悉的例子包括蜂窝电话、无线电缆、直接广播和互动电视。为了存储、传输和过滤电磁波，基于陶瓷材料的组件是必不可少的。新型和更好的无线通信陶瓷（CWC）具有极高的质量因数，相对较高的介电常数和足够的温度稳定性，这对于某些微波元件的进一步小型化和增强性能是非常理想的。该计划的主要目标是对微波应用的潜在新型陶瓷材料的合成和加工进行系统的研究。我们正在进行的研究是为了更深入地了解陶瓷材料的原子级缺陷、非均相界面和微波介电性能之间的基本关系。为了实现我们研究的中心目标，在微波频率范围（400 MHz至40 GHz）测量材料的介电特性是至关重要的。使用微波网络分析仪是表征这种微波特性的唯一直接方法。该奖项为获得这种网络分析仪提供了资金。目前，匹兹堡大学不提供这个单元。这个仪器将提高研究计划的质量。利用网络分析仪，我们将能够实验地确定在氧化钽-氧化锆、氧化铌-氧化锆和其他体系中烧结、多晶陶瓷的组成和微观结构的微波特性。我们计划研究使用不同烧结时间-温度剖面处理的样品的组成和微观结构特征（如晶粒尺寸，孔隙率和晶界微观化学）的影响。我们还试图了解不同掺杂剂和杂质的控制水平对不同组成的微波介电常数和品质因子的影响。这些性质将在不同温度（100- 500 K）下测量，以阐明影响微波性质的基本机制。＊＊＊

9504015 Phule Personal communication services (PCS) represent a burgeoning and revolutionary family of microwave based technologies (400 MHz to 30 GHz). Familiar examples include cellular telephones, wireless cable, direct broadcast, and interactive television. To store, transfer, and filter electromagnetic waves, components based on ceramic materials are indispensable. New and better ceramics for wireless communications (CWC), characterized by exceptionally high quality factors, a relatively high dielectric constant, and adequate temperature stability will be highly desirable for further miniaturization and enhanced performance of certain microwave components. The major goal of this program is to conduct a systematic investigation of the synthesis and processing of potentially novel ceramic materials for microwave applications. Our research is being conducted so as to gain deeper insights into the fundamental relationships between the atomic level defects, heterogeneous interfaces, and the microwave dielectric properties of ceramic materials. %%% For achieving the central goal of our research, it is critical to measure the dielectric properties of materials, in the microwave frequency range (400 MHz to 40 GHz). Using a microwave network analyzer is the only direct way to characterize such microwave properties. This award provides funds to acquire such a network analyzer. Presently, this unit is not available at the University of Pittsburgh. This instrument will enhance the quality of the research program. Using the network analyzer, we will be able to experimentally determine the microwave properties in relation to the composition and microstructure of sintered, polycrystalline ceramics in the tantalum oxide-zirconia, niobium oxidezirconia, and other systems. We plan to investigate the influence of composition, and micorstructural features (such as grain size, porosity, and grain boundary microchemistry) of samples processed using different sintering time-temperature profiles. We also seek to understand the influence of controlled levels of different dopants and impurities on the microwave dielectric constant and quality factor of different compositions. These properties will be measured at different temperatures (100- 500 K) so as to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms that influence microwave properties. ***